US forces seize seventh sanctioned oil tanker linked to Venezuela

US forces seized the Motor Vessel Sagitta, a Liberian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela, in the Caribbean on Tuesday. This marks the seventh such seizure as part of the US government's efforts to control Venezuelan oil exports. According to US Southern Command, the Sagitta was operating in defiance of US sanctions and President Trump's quarantine of sanctioned vessels. The tanker, sanctioned in 2022 under an executive order related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, is reportedly owned and managed by a Hong Kong-based company. US Southern Command indicated the ship had taken oil from Venezuela and stated the seizure demonstrates their resolve to ensure Venezuelan oil exports are lawful and coordinated.

The US military seized the Motor Vessel Sagitta, an oil tanker with links to Venezuela, in the Caribbean Sea on Tuesday. This marks the seventh apprehension of a Venezuela-linked oil tanker since the start of a US campaign to control Venezuela's oil flows. US Southern Command stated the seizure was "without incident" and demonstrates the US resolve to enforce the quarantine of sanctioned vessels. The US president has focused on Venezuela, with plans to control its oil resources indefinitely to rebuild the country's oil industry. The seized vessels have either been under US sanctions or part of a "shadow fleet" disguising their origins to move oil from sanctioned producers like Iran, Russia, or Venezuela.

In January 2026, the United States military seized its seventh Venezuela-linked oil tanker, the Motor Vessel Sagitta, in the Caribbean. US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced the seizure, stating it was part of the US blockade on oil vessels entering and leaving Venezuela. The US began seizing sanctioned tankers in December as part of increasing pressure on Venezuela. Tensions between the two countries escalated after President Trump authorized a military operation to abduct Venezuelan President Maduro. The US government considers Venezuelan oil "stolen" from US owners due to the nationalization of Venezuela's oil industry in 1971 and subsequent expropriation of foreign oil company assets.

US military forces apprehended a sanctioned vessel, Motor Vessel Sagitta, in the Caribbean as part of Operation #OpSouthernSpear, a joint effort with the US Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, and Justice Department. The apprehension occurred without incident, with video showing people on board the ship's deck. The operation aims to enforce President Trump's quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the region, ensuring only oil leaving Venezuela is coordinated properly and lawfully. This marks the seventh oil tanker seized since the US ramped up its campaign against illicit oil trade by Venezuela. The vessel was intercepted due to being under US sanctions or part of a "shadow fleet" of unregulated ships from major sanctioned producers, including Iran, Russia, and Venezuela.